I. di-ˈzälv, -ˈzȯlv also -ˈzäv or -ˈzȯv verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin dissolvere, from dis- + solvere to loosen — more at solve
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to disperse or disappear : destroy
do not dissolve and deface the laws of charity — Francis Bacon
b. : to separate into component parts : disintegrate
c. : to bring to an end : terminate
dissolve parliament
d. : annul
dissolve an injunction
2.
a. : to cause to pass into solution
dissolve sugar in water
b. : melt , liquefy
c. : to cause to be emotionally moved
d. : to cause to fade in or out in a dissolve
3. archaic : detach , loosen
4. : to clear up
dissolve a problem
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become dissipated or decomposed
b. : break up , disperse
c. : to fade away
2.
a. : to become fluid : melt
b. : to pass into solution
c. : to be overcome emotionally
dissolved into tears
d. : to resolve itself as if by dissolution
hate dissolved into fear
e. : to change by a dissolve
the scene dissolve s to a Victorian parlor
• dis·solv·able -ˈzäl-və-bəl, -ˈzȯl- adjective
• dis·sol·vent -ˈzäl-vənt, -ˈzȯl- noun or adjective
• dis·solv·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1916
: a gradual superimposing of one motion-picture or television shot upon another on a screen